Plurals

=Plurals=

[ Overview ]
This mini-lesson addresses the proper formation of plural nouns (with a particular focus on the misconception that apostrophes are used for this purpose).

[ What NOT to Do ]
The following comics illustrate the incorrect formation of plurals. To be clear: do NOT do what these comics do. Image source: http://mightyredpen.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/apostrophes.jpg



Image source: []

The lesson you should learn from these examples: apostrophes are never -- **NEVER** -- used to form plural nouns. Don't do it.

[ The Rules in a Nutshell ]
Note that none of the instances above require the use of an apostrophe to create a plural. This is because **apostrophes never make plurals.** It's simply not their job. Making a plural with an apostrophe is like using a hammer to brush your teeth -- it's not the right tool for the task, and you'll end up looking foolish if you do.
 * 1) Most plural nouns in English are formed simply by adding 's' to the end of the word. For example:
 * more than one dog = dogs
 * more than one car = cars
 * more than one teacher = teachers
 * 1) Depending on the ending of the noun in question, spelling changes may be necessary to create a plural. For example:
 * more than one canary = canaries ('y' becomes 'ie' + 's')
 * more than one sandwich = sandwiches (add 'e' to separate 's' from consonant 'h')
 * 1) When forming the plural of an abbreviation or year, simply add 's' as you normally would. (Note that this situation can often be avoided simply by spelling things out.)
 * more than one TV = TVs (or, more simply, televisions)
 * the years from 1980-1989 = the 1980s
 * 1) Some nouns in English are irregular, meaning they violate the basic rule of adding 's.' For example:
 * more than one man = men
 * more than one species = species
 * more than one goose = geese

For a more detailed discussion of forming plurals, consult http://www.meredith.edu/grammar/plural.htm#apostrophe.